State trooper injured in crash into tree on I-70

A crash into a tree injured a Maryland state trooper Wednesday afternoon, according to Howard County fire officials.

The trooper, who was identified as Cpl. Matthew Telep, crashed on eastbound Interstate 70 near the Route 32 exit in West Friendship around 4:30 p.m. while on his way home from an assignment in Western Maryland.

County fire officials said the trooper lost control and struck a tree. They said the impact was so severe that Telep was trapped in the car until crews could extricate him.

The trooper was then flown to Shock Trauma in Baltimore in serious condition. He is expected to survive.

Troopers closed eastbound I-70 near Exit 80 as police investigated the wreck. The highway has since reopened.

Telep is assigned to the JFK Highway Barrack and has been with Maryland State Police for five years.

Investigators said they initially thought that only Telep's cruiser was involved, but police received a call from someone claiming to have witnessed what led up to the crash.

"They believed the trooper was cut off by another vehicle," said State Police spokesman Greg Shipley. He said investigators will follow up on that information and that they plan to re-interview the witness.

Anyone else who may have witnessed the crash is asked to call State Police.

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